Recommend October 2010 - (Page 85)

Opposite page: Villas at Sunset Village, tucked away on the ocean’s edge. plunge right into the main pools and restaurants, these are the accommodations to book (recommend the lanai rooms that feature private sundecks and porches). Then there are the villas that are scattered throughout the key. Villas—done up in classic West Indies or modern Caribbean decor—are divvied up into the Sunset Village, tucked away on the ocean’s edge and ideal for couples and small families; the Marina Village, set waterside along Hawks Cay Marina; Harbor Village, with a harbor-front boardwalk and perfect for sea-lovers; and the Sanctuary Village, with homes that boast their own private pool, open verandah and roomy backyard. There are also specialty villas as well as vacation rentals for budget-conscious families. During our visit we made ourselves right at home in a 2-bedroom villa in the Marina Village. It offered an expansive living room, a fully equipped kitchen done up in contemporary decor with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops, and a cozy dining room, as well as two well-outﬁtted bedrooms, including a master bedroom with its own bathroom, and another large bathroom. Our favorite part of the accommodations, though, had to be the oversized, screened-in deck, which, in our case looked out over the resort’s marina and some of the most gorgeous sunsets we’ve ever had the privilege of feasting our eyes on. Speaking of feast, the deck is a great place to have breakfast, lunch or dinner, and tell clients to take advantage of the fully equipped kitchen to cook up those meals—it’s a money-saver and the kids will have some fond memories of mom and dad cooking up a “grand slam breakfast.” The marina has a small dockside store where clients can ﬁnd essentials, including butter, milk, and juice (as well as liquor and other vacation “must-haves”), but there’s a larger grocery store about 15 minutes away. At ﬁrst, it seems like it will be a long hike getting from the separate villages to the main resort area, but once you’ve got the lay of the land, you realize it’s a nice short stroll from the accommodations to most of the main spots. Or, guests can opt to rent a bike (or bring one with them) next to the Indies Club as there are bike posts scattered throughout the resort. endless activities And biking is just one of many activities available at Hawks Cay. In fact, the resort is known as being one—if not the most—active resort in the Florida Keys, and we can attest to that. During our visit, we were engaged in a whirlwind of fun pastimes—from hanging with dolphins and snorkeling, to lagoon swimming and offshore ﬁshing, and yes, we must admit, some lounging by the pool with drink in hand. But there’s also ÍÍ Travel Agents This waterfront luxury resort features fully-appointed suites, sweeping views, fine dining and much more! 263 Spacious Studio, 1-, 2- and 3-Bedroom Luxuriously-Appointed Suites october 2010 85 http://www.marinavillageresort.com/recommend http://www.marinavillageresort.com/recommend

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend October 2010

Editor's Notes/Agent Speak
Hotel Desk
Tour Talk
Luxurious India by Rail, Plane and Boat
The Heavenly Taj Hotels, Resorts & Palaces
Experiencing the High Life in Kenya
Savoring the North of England
Riviera Nayarit Travel Planner
Marival Residences & World Spa
Wildly Luxurious––High-End Vacations
The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman Does it Again
Guadeloupe
Five High-End Villa Stays
Compagnie du Ponant's Le Boreal
Palm Beach: Playground for the Rich and Famous
Hawks Cay Resort, Florida Keys
La Costa Resort and Spa, California

Recommend October 2010